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Toddler Talk: DIY Watercolors

I’m back with another toddler-friendly activity that you can make right in your kitchen.

There are several ways you can do this—use an empty egg carton, ice cube tray, some tiny reusable paint containers, or make it in a mini muffin tin. We opted for the muffin tray because we made these paints for a big play date, but you can play around with the measurements and containers.

A couple of things to note: On the plus side, the vinegar and baking soda make this awesome fizzing reaction—which your kids will love. On the negative, you won’t be able to use the paints for about two days—which your kids won’t love so much.

But, overall, it’s a super easy kitchen craft that makes pigmented paints, without a trip to the craft store.

Ingredients:

8 Tbsp. baking soda

4 Tbsp. white vinegar (2:1 ratio with the baking soda)

4 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. light corn syrup

Gel food coloring (the same food coloring I recommend for all of these at-home crafts)

Popsicle stick or toothpick (for mixing)

Container(s) of choice

Directions:

1. Mix the vinegar and baking soda in a bowl (and watch it fizz!).

2. Mix in the cornstarch and corn syrup.

3. Fill your containers.

4. Add food coloring to the different containers, combining colors and playing with the amount of pigment. Mix well with a toothpick or Popsicle stick.

5. Let the paint sit for at least 24 hours, but our paint took a full two days to set. Some distraction might be necessary here.